Remote monitoring of water distribution system

ABSTRACT

A liquid monitoring system includes a remote measurement device located at a location of the fire hydrant that is in contact with water provided by a water main. The remote measurement device has sensors that measure characteristics of the water and a communication interface that transmits measured information to a communication network device that may be located elsewhere on the fire hydrant. The communication network device communicates with a communication network.

BACKGROUND

Water distribution systems provide water to homes and businesses withina geographic area. The water is treated by a water treatment systemprior to distribution in order to ensure that it complies with legal,regulatory, and customer requirements relating to the quality andcontent of the distributed water. For example, some legal or regulatoryrequirements may relate to the maximum content of certain chemicals ormaterials within the water. Customer requirements may not be legallyenforced but may nonetheless be related to the desirable taste, smell,and appearance of the water that is distributed to customers who areserved by the water distribution system.

A water distribution system may cover a large geographic area. Leaks orblockages within the system may result in a reduced level of serviceprovided to customers and loss of valuable water resources. In somecases, undesirable chemicals or materials could be introduced to thewater distribution system after the water leaves the treatment facility,at some intermediate locations within the water distribution system. Thewater mains that distribute water within the water distribution systemare located underground, and are therefore difficult to access ormonitor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present disclosure, its nature andvarious advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative water distribution system in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary fire hydrant including a remote measurementdevice in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary fire hydrant including a remote measurementdevice and valve stem communication path in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary fire hydrant including a remote measurementdevice and barrel communication path in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary remote measurement device located within acavity of a lower valve plate of a fire hydrant in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary remote measurement device located at anexterior surface of a lower valve plate of a fire hydrant in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A shows an exemplary embodiment of a remote measurement devicelocated within a flange insert in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 7B depicts a perspective view of the flange insert in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary remote measurement device in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary communication network device in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts a non-limiting flow diagram illustrating exemplarymethods for operating a remote measurement device in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 depicts a non-limiting flow diagram illustrating exemplarymethods for operating a communication network device in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A water distribution system has a water treatment facility that supplieswater to an area such as a municipality, industrial park, commercialarea, mixed use area or development, and various other locations andenvironments. The water is distributed through water mains, and firehydrants are located throughout the water distribution system. Thesefire hydrants may be dry-barrel hydrant or wet-barrel hydrants. Whateverthe manner of construction, the hydrant includes a valve that can beopened in order to provide water from the water main to nozzles of thehydrant. The water running thought the water main is pressurized, and inthis manner, delivers pressurized water to the fire hydrant.

A typical water distribution system may cover a large geographic area.As a result, even though the water that is provided from the waterdistribution system may be compliant with legal, regulatory, andcustomer requirements, it is possible that problems with the water maybe introduced elsewhere within the water distribution system as a whole.This may result in pressure losses within the water distribution systemor the introduction of undesirable chemicals or materials at remotelocations within the water distribution system.

The fire hydrants are located throughout the water distribution system,and may provide a location for remote monitoring of conditions of thewater distribution system such as water pressure, water quality,chemical content, solid content, or any other suitable characteristicsof the water within the water distribution system. A remote measurementdevice may be located at a location where it is exposed to the waterflow of the water distribution system, for example, at a valve of a firehydrant or as an insert that connects to a flange of the fire hydrant.The remote measurement device may include sensors that measure anysuitable characteristics of the water or the water distribution system,such as pressure or characteristics of the water.

The remote measurement device may include a processor that processes theoutput of the sensors, and in some embodiments, calculates measurementvalues based on the sensor outputs. The remote measurement device mayalso include a communication interface that transmits the sensor outputsand other calculated values to a communication network device that islocated at the fire hydrant, for example, near the bonnet of the firehydrant (e.g., within a cap of the fire hydrant). This information maycommunicated through either a wired connection or wirelessly. Thecommunication network device of the fire hydrant may communicate thisinformation to a monitoring system of the water distribution system.This information may be used by the monitoring system to identifyproblems within the water distribution system.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative water distribution system 1 in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, thewater distribution system may include a water treatment facility 10 thatincludes a central monitoring system 12. Water is provided to the watertreatment facility 10 from a water source (not depicted). Watertreatment facility 10 treats the water that is provided from the watersource such that it complies with legal, regulatory, and customerrequirements related to water content and quality. Central monitoringsystem 12 may receive information from remote measurement devices thatare located throughout the water distribution system 1 (e.g., at firehydrants 50) in order to ensure that water that is delivered todifferent locations throughout the water distribution system 1 complieswith the legal, regulatory, and customer requirements. Based on thisinformation, the central monitoring system 12 may report problems withinthe water distribution system 1 and suggest corrective action such asneeded repairs at a location of the water distribution system 1.

In one embodiment, the central monitoring system 12 may identifylocations where there is an unexpected loss of pressure within the waterdistribution system 1. Based on this information, the location where aninspection or repair needs to be made may be pinpointed accurately. In asimilar manner, the central monitoring system 12 may monitorcharacteristics of the water, such as material or chemical content, atdifferent locations throughout the water distribution system 1. Based onthese characteristics, the central monitoring system 12 may identify alocation where water quality does not comply with legal, regulatory, orcustomer requirements. In addition, central monitoring system 12 maymonitor aspects of the water distribution system 1 over time, forexample, to determine usage patterns or other changes to the waterdistribution system 1.

The water that is provided by the water treatment facility 10 may beprovided to water mains 14. The water mains 14 may distribute the waterto customers such as residential customers 20, business customers 30,and industrial customers 40. In some embodiments (not depicted herein),remote measurement devices may be locates at one or more of thesecustomer locations in addition to the fire hydrants 50 or instead of thefire hydrants 50. However, as described in more detail herein, in someembodiments the at least some of the remote measurement devices may belocated at the fire hydrants 50 of the water distribution system 1. Thismay provide some advantages, for example, that the party that owns ormanages the water distribution system 1 is likely to have access to andat least partial control over the fire hydrants 50 and the operationthereof.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary fire hydrant 50 including a remote measurementdevice and communication network device in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. Although any suitable type offire hydrant may be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure(e.g., a dry-barrel or wet-barrel fire hydrant), in one embodiment asdepicted in FIG. 2 the fire hydrant 50 may be a dry barrel fire hydrant50. In one embodiment, the fire hydrant 50 may include a remotemeasurement device 120 and a communication network device 122. Althoughcertain fire hydrant components will be described in accordance with thepresent disclosure, it will be understood that the remote measurementdevice 120 and/or communication network device 122 may be implemented atany suitable location within any suitable fire hydrant 50.

In some embodiments, the fire hydrant 50 may include a shoe 125 thatconnects to a water main 14 via a flange 116. A valve of the firehydrant 50 may include a lower valve plate 108 and a valve seat 110.Under normal conditions when water is not being provided to the firehydrant 50, the lower valve plate 108 may provide a force upon the valveseat 110 such that it creates a seal with seat ring 112 and an uppervalve plate (not depicted). A valve stem 118 may be coupled to the lowervalve plate 108 such that a user of the fire hydrant may release theseal between the valve seat 110 and the seat ring 10, allowing waterfrom the water main 14 to be provided to the fire hydrant 50 via barrel106. In some embodiments, seat ring 112 may engage with a drain ring114, such that the valve stem 118, seat ring 112, and valve (e.g.,including lower valve plate 108 and valve seat 110) may be selectivelyremoved and serviced at the fire hydrant 50. In this manner, a remotemeasurement device 120 may be accessed and serviced as necessary, forexample, to replace a battery of remote measurement device 120.

In one embodiment, a remote measurement device 120 may be located in alocation that is suitable to measure characteristics of the water thatis distributed through the water main 14 of the water distributionsystem 1. For example, the water main (not depicted in FIG. 2) may becoupled to the shoe 124 via flange 116. Although the remote measurementdevice 120 may be located in any suitable location that is in contactwith the water provided by water main 14 (e.g, at any location of shoe124), in one embodiment the remote measurement device 120 may be locatedat an exposed surface of the lower valve plate 108.

The remote measurement device 120 may include any suitable components toprovide for measurement of characteristics of water provided by thewater main 14. In one embodiment, the remote measurement device 120 mayinclude a plurality of sensors that measure characteristics of the watersuch as pressure, turbidity, heave, material content (e.g., totaldissolved solids), biological content, chemical content (e.g.,chlorine), or any other suitable characteristics. The measuredcharacteristics may be processed at the remote measurement device 120,or some or all of the outputs of the plurality of the sensors may beprovided to another device (e.g., communication network device 122) forfurther processing. In some embodiments, the remote measurement device120 may communicate with the communication network device 122 via astandardized (e.g., WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, etc.)or proprietary wireless communication protocol operating at frequencysuch as 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, or 5.6 GHz. In other embodiments, the remotemeasurement device 120 may communicate with a communication networkdevice 122 via a wired connection, for example, routed through a cavityof valve stem 118 (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 3) or that is run along aninterior surface of barrel 106 (e.g. as depicted in FIG. 4).

In one embodiment, communication network device 122 may be located at alocation of fire hydrant 50 that is located above ground, for example,at a location within bonnet 102 of the fire hydrant 50. However, it willbe understood that communication network device 122 may be located atany suitable location of fire hydrant 50, including an interior orexterior surface of fire hydrant 50. In addition, in some embodiments,the communication network device 122 and the remote measurement device120 may be integrated as a single component (e.g., with thecommunication network device 122 located with remote measurement device120 at a location that is in contact with water from water main 14, orin a wet-barrel fire hydrant 50).

Communication network device 122 may be in communication with the remotemeasurement device 120 and may also be in communication with acommunication network and/or central monitoring system 12. In someembodiments, communication network device 122 may also be incommunication with other communication devices such as networkcommunication devices 122 of other fire hydrants 50 within the waterdistribution system 1. As described herein, the communication networkdevice 122 may include a wired or wireless communication interface thatis compatible with the remote measurement device 120 as well as one ormore additional wireless communication interfaces for communicating withthe communication network and central monitoring system 122, such as acellular communication network or mesh communication network. In anexemplary embodiment of a cellular communication network, thecommunication network device 122 may communicate in any suitable manner,such as via internet protocol data communication or short message system(SMS) messages. In an exemplary embodiment of a mesh communicationsystem, data may be transmitted to the central monitoring system 12 viathe mesh network or using a data collection procedure (e.g., using aservice vehicle to survey the communication network devices 122 athydrants 50).

In one embodiment, not depicted herein, rather than providing some orall of the sensors at a location that is in contact with the waterpassing through the water main 12, it may be possible to provide waterto a remote location relative to the water main, for example, using apitot tube located at the lower valve plate 108, valve seat 110, or shoe124. Water may be provided via the pitot tube or other similar devicesuch that one or more sensors may be located above ground, for example,directly to network communication device 122 located at a location ofbonnet 102.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary fire hydrant 50 including a remote measurementdevice 120 and valve stem 108 communication path in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure. As is depicted in FIG. 3, a wiredconnection 124 may be provided between the remote measurement device 120and the communication network device 122. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 3, the wired connection may be located within an interior cavity ofthe valve stem 118. Although the wired connection 124 may be provided inany suitable manner, in some embodiments, the wired connection mayinclude some slack such that the wired connection is able to accommodatemovement of the valve and valve stem 118.

Any suitable signals or combination thereof may be provided via wiredconnection 124, including but not limited to sensor signals from remotemeasurement device 120, data signals between remote measurement device120 and communication network device 122, and power signals provided toremote measurement device 120 and communication network device 122. Inone embodiment, remote measurement device 120 may receive power viawired connection 124 and may provide analog or digital signals directlyfrom sensors of remote measurement device 120. In another exemplaryembodiment, remote measurement device 120 may process some or all of thesignals received at sensors thereof and communicate values determinedtherefrom to communication network device 122 via a data signal. A datasignal may be provided by any suitable standardized or proprietaryprotocol, such as USB, I²C, GPIO, SPI, or Firewire.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary fire hydrant 50 including a remotemeasurement device 122 and barrel 106 communication path in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure. As described for FIG.3, the communication path depicted in FIG. 4 may include a wiredconnection 124 between remote measurement device 120 and communicationnetwork device 122. As depicted in FIG. 4, the wired connection 124 maybe routed along an interior surface of barrel 106. The wired connectionmay be coupled along the interior surface in any suitable manner, forexample, via a channel provided within the interior surface of the firehydrant 50. In one embodiment, a coupling 128 and connecting wire 130may be provided at a location relative to the valve (e.g., in anembodiment wherein the remote measurement device 120 is located at thevalve) and may allow for the connecting wire 130 to extend along withmovements of the valve.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary remote measurement device 120 located within acavity of a lower valve plate 108 of a fire hydrant 50 in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure. As described herein, aremote measurement device may be integrated into any suitable componentof a fire hydrant that is in contact with water supplied by a water main14. In one embodiment, the remote measurement device 120 may be integralto the lower valve plate 108 (e.g., located within a cavity of the lowervalve plate 108). The lower valve plate may have a sealing surface thatcreates a seal with the valve seat 110 and an exposed surface locatedopposite the sealing surface.

Remote measurement device 120 may include sensors 134 that may determinecharacteristics of the water of water main 14. Examples of sensors mayinclude sensors for pressure, turbidity, heave, material content (e.g.,total dissolved solids), biological content, chemical content (e.g.,chlorine), or any other suitable characteristics. Sensors may includeelectrical sensors, mechanical sensors, electromechanical sensors,optical sensors, acoustic sensors, any other suitable sensors, or anycombination thereof.

In some embodiments, sensors 134 may be provided at a variety oflocations of lower valve plate 108 or another similar component. Asdepicted in FIG. 5, sensors 134 may be provided at an exterior surfaceof lower valve plate 108. In some embodiments, a channel 130 may beprovided through lower valve plate 108. As depicted in FIG. 5, a sensor134 may be located at the surface of channel 130, or in someembodiments, within channel 130. A reservoir 132 may also be providedwithin lower valve plate 108, and one or more sensors 134 may beprovided within reservoir 132. In some embodiments, the sensor locatedat or in the channel 130 or reservoir 132 may include a liquid samplingdevice that is configured to acquire a sample of the liquid and todetermine the one or more characteristics based on the sample.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary remote measurement 120 device located at anexterior surface of a lower valve plate 108 of a fire hydrant 50 inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. As describedherein, a remote measurement device may be located at an exteriorsurface of any suitable component of a fire hydrant 50 that is incontact with water supplied by a water main 14. In one embodiment, theremote measurement device 120 may be fixedly attached to the lower valveplate 108 (e.g., via a weld, bolt, or any other suitable attachmentmechanism). The lower valve plate 108 may have a sealing surface thatcreates a seal with the valve seat 110 and an exposed surface locatedopposite the sealing surface, to which the remote measurement device isattached.

Similar to FIG. 5, remote measurement device 120 may include sensors 134that may determine characteristics of the water of water main 14.Examples of sensors may include sensors for pressure, turbidity, heave,material content (e.g., total dissolved solids), biological content,chemical content (e.g., chlorine), or any other suitablecharacteristics. Sensors may include electrical sensors, mechanicalsensors, electromechanical sensors, optical sensors, acoustic sensors,any other suitable sensors, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, sensors 134 may be provided at a variety oflocations of the remote measurement device 120. Sensors 134 may beprovided at an exterior surface of remote measurement device 120, at orwithin a channel 130 of remote measurement device 120, and/or at orwithin a reservoir 132 of remote measurement device 120.

FIG. 7A shows an exemplary embodiment of a remote measurement device 120located within a flange insert 140 in accordance with some embodimentsof the present disclosure. As described herein, a fire hydrant mayinclude a shoe 124 having a flange 116 that attaches to a water main 14.In one embodiment, a flange insert may be provided that includes theremote measurement device 120. The flange insert 140 may be locatedbetween flange 116 and the water main 14, and may be fixedly attached toboth in any suitable manner (e.g., bolts and nuts (not depicted)). In asimilar manner as is described and depicted for the remote measurementdevice 120 of FIGS. 2-6, a remote measurement device 120 located at aflange insert 140 may communicate with a communication network device122 via a wired or wireless connection. In the exemplary embodiment of awired connection 124, the wired connection 124 may be provided at aninterior or exterior surface of the fire hydrant 50.

FIG. 7B depicts a perspective view of the flange insert 140 inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Although aflange insert may be implemented in any suitable manner, in someembodiments the flange insert 140 may include a remote measurementdevice 120 located within a portion thereof. As described herein for theremote measurement device 120 of FIGS. 5-6 and depicted in FIG. 7B,sensors 134 may be provided at an exterior surface of remote measurementdevice 120, at or within a channel 130 of remote measurement device 120,and/or at or within a reservoir 132 of remote measurement device 120.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary remote measurement device 120 in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure. Although remotemeasurement device 120 may include any suitable components, in oneembodiment remote measurement device 120 may include a processor 202,sensors 204, a wireless interface 206, a wired interface 208, internalcommunication interface 210, a power supply 212, and a memory 214.

Processor 202 may control the operations of the other components ofremote measurement device 120, and may include any suitable processor.As described herein, a processor 202 may include any suitable processingdevice such as a general purpose processor or microprocessor executinginstructions from memory, hardware implementations of processingoperations (e.g., hardware implementing instructions provided by ahardware description language), any other suitable processor, or anycombination thereof. In one embodiment, processor 202 may be amicroprocessor that executes instructions stored in memory 214. Memoryincludes any suitable volatile or non-volatile memory capable of storinginformation (e.g., instructions and data for the operation and use ofremote measurement device 120 and communication network device 122),such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash, magnetic storage, hard drives, anyother suitable memory, or any combination thereof.

As described herein, remote measurement device 120 may include sensors204, which may correspond to the sensors 134 described herein. Remotemeasurement device may be in communication with sensors 204 via internalcommunication interface 210. Internal communication interface mayinclude any suitable interfaces for providing signals and data betweenprocessor 202 and other components of remote measurement device 120.This may include communication busses such as communication buses suchas I²C, SPI, USB, UART, and GPIO. In some embodiments, this may alsoinclude connections such that signals from sensors 204 (e.g., measuredanalog signals) may be provided to processor 202.

Wireless interface 206 may be in communication with processor 202 viathe internal communication interface 210, and may provide for wirelesscommunication with other wireless devices such as communication networkdevice 122. Wireless interface 206 may communicate using a standardized(e.g., WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, etc.) orproprietary wireless communication protocol operating at any suitablefrequency such as 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, or 5.6 GHz. In some embodiments, asuitable wireless communication protocol may be selected or designed forthe particular signal path between the remote measurement device 120 andcommunication network device 122. In an embodiment of a remotemeasurement device 120 implemented with lower valve plate 108, thewireless communication protocol may be selected based on the materialproperties of the fire hydrant 50 (e.g., cast iron) and the signal paththrough the interior cavity of the fire hydrant 50 (including when wateris provided to fire hydrant 50). In an embodiment of a remotemeasurement device 120 implemented with a flange insert 140, thewireless communication protocol may be selected based on thetransmission path through the soil to the above-ground portion of thefire hydrant 50

Although in some embodiments a remote measurement device 120 may includeboth a wireless interface 206 and a wired interface 208, in someembodiments only one of the wireless interface 206 or wired interface208 may be provided. A wired interface 208 may provide an interface withwired connection 124 in order to allow processor 202 to communicate withcommunication network device 122 as described herein. The wiredconnection 208 may be any suitable wired connection to facilitatecommunication via any suitable protocol, as described herein.

Remote measurement device 120 may also include a power supply 212. Powersupply may include a connection to an external power supply (e.g., powersupplied by wired connection 124), a battery power source, any othersuitable power source, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments,power supply 212 may be a replaceable or rechargeable battery such aslithium-ion, lithium-polymer, nickel-metal hydride, or nickel-cadmiumbattery. The power supply 212 may provide power to the other componentsof remote measurement device.

In one embodiment, memory 214 of remote measurement device may includememory for executing instructions with processor 202, memory for storingdata, and a plurality of sets of instructions to be run by processor202. Although memory 214 may include any suitable instructions, in oneembodiment the instructions may include operating instructions 216,sensing instructions 218, and communication instructions 220.

Operating instructions 216 may include instructions for controlling thegeneral operations of the remote measurement device 120. In oneembodiment, operating instructions may include instructions for anoperating system of the remote measurement device 120, and for receivingupdates to software, firmware, or configuration parameters of the remotemeasurement device 120. In one embodiment, remote measurement device 120may be a battery-powered device that may be in use for long periods oftime without being replaced. Operating instructions 216 may includeinstructions for limiting power consumption of the remote measurementdevice 120, for example, by periodically placing some of the componentsof the remote measurement device 120 into a sleep mode. In oneembodiment, the sensors 204 and the communication interface (e.g.,wireless interface 206 and/or wired interface 208) may be shut off and amajority of the processing operations of the processor 202 may be shutoff. In some embodiments, sensing with sensors 204 may only occur onrelatively long intervals (e.g., every few minutes) while the processormay check the communication interface (e.g., wireless interface 206and/or wired interface 208) more frequently to determine whether datahas been requested by the communication network device 122. In otherembodiments, sensing with sensors may occur more frequently, and thecommunication interface (e.g., wireless interface 206 and/or wiredinterface 208) may only be powered on relatively infrequently (e.g.,every few hours), or if a warning or error should be provided based onthe measurements from the sensors 204.

Sensing instructions 218 may include instructions for operating thesensors 204 and for processing data from the sensors 204. As describedherein, sensors 204 may include a variety of types of sensors thatmeasure a variety of different characteristics of the water. Sensinginstructions 218 may provide instructions for controlling these sensors,determining values based on signals or data received from the sensors,and performing calculations based on the received signals or data. Whilein some embodiments, raw sensor data or calculated values may bereceived or calculated based on the sensing instructions 218, in someembodiments the sensing instructions may also include data analysis suchas a comparison with threshold or warning values. For example, if thepressure that is sensed at a pressure sensor of sensors 204 falls belowa threshold, sensing instructions 218 may provide for a warning to beprovided to communication network device 122. If a chemical orbiological content of the water exceeds a threshold parts per million, awarning may be provided to communication network device 122. In someembodiments, sensing instructions may also analyze data trends orperform statistical analysis based on data received from the sensors204, determine warnings therefrom, and provide the trends, statistics,and/or warnings to the communication network device 122.

Communication instructions 220 may include instructions forcommunicating with other devices such as communication network device122. Communications instructions may include instructions for operatingthe wireless interface 206 and/or wired interface 208, includingphysical layer, MAC layer, logical link layer, and data link layerinstructions to operate the wireless interface 206 and/or wiredinterface 208 in accordance with a standardized or proprietarycommunication protocol. Communication instructions 220 may also includeinstructions for encrypting and decrypting communications between remotemeasurement device 120 and communication network device 122, such thatunauthorized third parties are unable to eavesdrop on suchcommunications. Communication instructions 220 may also includeinstructions for a message format for communications exchanged betweenremote measurement device 120 and communication network device 122. Themessage format may specify message types, such as warning messages, wakeup messages, update messages, data upload messages, and data requestmessages.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary communication network device 122 in accordancewith some embodiments of the present disclosure. Although communicationnetwork device 122 may include any suitable components, in oneembodiment communication network device 122 may include a processor 302,sensors 304, a sensor communication interface 306, a networkcommunication interface 308, internal communication interface 310, powersupply 312, and memory 314.

Processor 302 may control the operations of the other components ofcommunication network device 122, and may include any suitableprocessor. A processor 302 may include any suitable processing devicesuch as a general purpose processor or microprocessor executinginstructions from memory, hardware implementations of processingoperations (e.g., hardware implementing instructions provided by ahardware description language), any other suitable processor, or anycombination thereof. In one embodiment, processor 302 may be amicroprocessor that executes instructions stored in memory 314. Memoryincludes any suitable volatile or non-volatile memory capable of storinginformation (e.g., instructions and data for the operation and use ofcommunication network device 122), such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash,magnetic storage, hard drives, any other suitable memory, or anycombination thereof.

In some embodiments, communication network device 122 may includesensors 204. For example, communication network device 122 may becombined with remote measurement device 120, such that they operate as asingle unit. In other embodiments, the sensing operations may beperformed directly at network communication device 122, such as whenwater is provided to communication network device 122 by a pitot tube.In addition, communication network device may sense othercharacteristics about the location where it is located within firehydrant 50, such as temperature.

Sensor communication interface 306 may be in communication withprocessor 302 via the internal communication interface 310, and mayprovide for wireless or wired communications with remote measurementdevice 120. In one embodiment, sensor communication interface 306 mayinclude a wireless interface that communicates using a standardized(e.g., WiFi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, etc.) orproprietary wireless communication protocol operating at any suitablefrequency such as 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, or 5.6 GHz. As described herein, asuitable wireless communication protocol may be selected or designed forthe particular signal path between the remote measurement device 120 andcommunication network device 122. In some embodiments, sensorcommunication interface may be a wired interface that provides aninterface with wired connection 124 in order to allow processor 302 tocommunicate with remote measurement device 120 as described herein. Thewired connection may be any suitable wired connection to facilitatecommunication via any suitable protocol, as described herein.

Network communication interface 308 may be in communication with acommunication network for monitoring characteristics of the waterdistribution system 1. In one embodiment, the network communicationinterface 308 may provide for communications with a central monitoringsystem 12, such as by using a cellular communication network or meshcommunication network. In an exemplary embodiment of a cellularcommunication network, the communication network device 122 maycommunicate in any suitable manner, such as via internet protocol datacommunications or short message system (SMS) messages. In an exemplaryembodiment of a mesh communication system, data may be transmitted tothe central monitoring system 12 via the mesh network or using a datacollection procedure (e.g., using a service vehicle to survey thecommunication network devices 122 at fire hydrants 50).

Communication network device 122 may also include a power supply 312.Power supply 312 may include a connection to an external power supply(e.g., power supplied by a utility system), a battery power source, anyother suitable power source, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, power supply 312 may be a replaceable or rechargeablebattery such as lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, nickel-metal hydride, ornickel-cadmium battery. The power supply may provide power to the othercomponents of communication network device 122.

In one embodiment, memory 314 of communication network device 122 mayinclude memory for executing instructions with processor 302, memory forstoring data, and a plurality of sets of instructions to be run byprocessor 302. Although memory 314 may include any suitableinstructions, in one embodiment the instructions may include operatinginstructions 316, data processing instructions 318, sensor communicationinstructions 320, and network communication instructions 322.

Operating instructions 316 may include instructions for controlling thegeneral operations of the communication network device 122. In oneembodiment, operating instructions may include instructions for anoperating system of the communication network device 122, and forreceiving updates to software, firmware, or configuration parameters ofthe communication network device 122. In one embodiment, communicationnetwork device 122 may be a battery-powered device that may be in usefor long periods of time without being replaced. Operating instructions316 may include instructions for limiting power consumption of thecommunication network device 122, for example, by periodically placingsome of the components of the communication network device 122 into asleep mode. In one embodiment, the sensors 304 and the communicationinterfaces (e.g., sensor communication interface 306 and networkcommunication interface 308) may be shut off and a majority of theprocessing operations of the processor 302 may be shut off. Thecommunication interfaces may wake up on a periodic basis to check formessages from the remote measurement device 120 or the communicationnetwork. In some embodiments, the wake up times may be scheduled basedon messages from one or more of the central monitoring system 12, remotemeasurement device 120, and/or communication network device 122. In someembodiments, communication network device 122 may not enter the sleepmode while processing certain information such as warning messages orerror messages (e.g., to monitor more frequently based on the occurrenceof an error or warning).

Data processing instructions 318 may include instructions for processingdata that is received from the remote measurement device 120 via thesensor communication interface 306. As described herein, the sensors ofthe remote measurement device may measure characteristics such aspressure, turbidity, heave, material content (e.g., total dissolvedsolids), biological content, chemical content (e.g., chlorine), or anyother suitable characteristics. The data processing instructions 318 mayprocess this data to determine warnings, monitor data trends, calculatestatistics, or perform any other suitable data processing operations asdescribed herein. In one embodiment, data processing instructions 318may include instructions for monitoring the change in water pressureover time, and based on identified changes, may provide messages such aswarning messages to central monitoring system 12.

Sensor communication instructions 320 may include instructions forcommunicating with remote measurement device 120. Sensor communicationsinstructions may include instructions for operating the sensorcommunication interface 306, including physical layer, MAC layer,logical link layer, and data link layer instructions in accordance witha standardized or proprietary communication protocol. Sensorcommunication instructions 320 may also include instructions forencrypting and decrypting communications between remote measurementdevice 120 and communication network device 122, such that unauthorizedthird parties are unable to eavesdrop on such communications. Sensorcommunication instructions 220 may also include instructions for amessage format for communications exchanged between communicationnetwork device 120 and communication network device 122. The messageformat may specify message types, such as warning messages, wake upmessages, update messages, data upload messages, and data requestmessages.

Network communication instructions 322 may include instructions forcommunicating with a communication network such as a cellular networkand/or mesh network. In one embodiment, network communicationinstructions 322 may include instructions for communicating on acellular network using an internet protocol data format or a SMS dataformat. Network communication instructions 322 may also includeinstructions for communicating using a mesh network (e.g., Zigbee).Communication instructions 320 may also include instructions forencrypting and decrypting communications between communication networkdevice 122 and the communication network, such that unauthorized thirdparties are unable to eavesdrop on such communications. Communicationinstructions 320 may also include instructions for a message format forcommunications exchanged between communication network device 122 andthe communications network. The message format may specify messagetypes, such as warning messages, wake up messages, update messages, dataupload messages, and data request messages.

FIG. 10 depicts a non-limiting flow diagram illustrating exemplarymethods for operating a remote measurement device 120 in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure. Although a particular seriesof steps 400 are depicted as being performed in a particular order inFIG. 10, it will be understood that one or more steps may be removed oradded, and the order of the steps may be modified in any suitablemanner. In one embodiment, processing of steps 400 may begin at step402.

At step 402, remote measurement device 120 may initiate sensing ofcharacteristics of the water flowing through the water main 12. In oneembodiment, remote measurement device 120 may be in a sleep mode and mayperiodically provide power to the sensors. In some embodiments, thesensors may be activated in response to another stimulus such as amessage from communication network device 122. Processing may thencontinue to step 404.

At step 404, remote measurement device 120 may capture sensor data fromits sensors. The sensors may be located at the surface of remotemeasurement device 120, at or in a channel of the remote measurementdevice 120, at or in a reservoir of the remote measurement device 120,or at any other suitable location. The sensors may provide signals thatmay be processed by a processor of the remote measurement device (e.g.,an analog signal representative of a value of the sensed characteristic)and/or may provide a data signal (e.g., digital data representative ofthe sensed characteristic). The captured data may be stored in memory ofthe remote measurement device 120. Processing may continue to step 406.

At step 406, the processor of the remote measurement device 120 maycalculate values from the received data. The values may be determinedbased on applying processing to a received signal (e.g., a receivedanalog signal), based on a received data signal, based on performingcalculations relating to a plurality of sensed characteristics, in anyother suitable manner, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments,statistics, data trends, and other similar values may also be calculatedand stored in memory. Processing may continue to step 408.

At step 408, the processor of the remote measurement device 120 maydetermine whether there are any warnings associated with the measureddata and/or calculated values for the characteristics. Warnings mayinclude conditions that relate to problems with the water distributionsystem, such as water pressure issues and water quality issues (e.g.,turbidity, solid content, chemical content, biological content, etc.).Although warnings may be determined in any suitable manner, in someembodiments the warnings may be based on a comparison of values withthresholds, a rate of change for values, or a combination of values thatis indicative of a particular water condition. The warnings may bestored in memory. Once the warnings are determined at step 408,processing may continue to step 410.

At step 410, the processor of the remote measurement device 120 maydetermine whether there are any errors associated with the measured dataand/or calculated values for the characteristics. Errors may relate tothe functioning of the remote measurement device (e.g., a failed sensoror low battery) or the fire hydrant (e.g., a failed component such as aseal). Although errors may be determined in any suitable manner, in someembodiments the errors may be determined based on one or more of themeasurements or calculated values not being within an acceptable range,or based on a combination of values indicating an error (e.g., a failedseal). The errors may be stored in memory. Once the errors aredetermined at step 410, processing may continue to step 412.

At step 412, the information that is determined by the remotemeasurement device (e.g., values for characteristics, warnings, anderrors) may be transmitted to another device (e.g., the communicationnetwork device 122) via a suitable interface (e.g., a wireless and/orwired interface). In one embodiment, the information may be transmittedduring each sensing period that is initiated at step 402. In someembodiments, the information may be transmitted less frequently in theabsence of a warning or error. Whether a warning or error is transmittedmay also be based on the warning or error type or the severity. Once theinformation is transmitted, processing may continue to step 414.

At step 414, the remote measurement device 120 may enter a sleep mode.In some embodiments, the parameters for the sleep mode such as sleeptime may be based on communications with another device such as thecommunication network device 122. During the sleep mode, many of thepowered components of the remote measurement device 120 such as thesensors and communication interface may not receive power. In someembodiments, certain components (e.g., a pressure sensor) may continueto receive power during the sleep mode in order to determine if thereare any critical warnings. Once the sleep mode is entered, processingmay return to step 402.

FIG. 11 depicts a non-limiting flow diagram illustrating exemplarymethods for operating a communication network device in accordance withsome embodiments of the present disclosure. Although a particular seriesof steps are depicted as being performed in a particular order in FIG.11, it will be understood that one or more steps may be removed oradded, and the order of the steps may be modified in any suitablemanner. In one embodiment, processing of steps 500 may begin at step502.

At step 502, information may be received at the communication networkdevice 122 via a communication interface in communication with theremote measurement device 122. In some embodiments, the communicationnetwork device 122 may be in a sleep mode, and may periodically exit thesleep mode (e.g., at predetermined times) to receive messages from theremote measurement device 120. In other embodiments, the sensorcommunication interface of the communication network device 122 mayremain active, and when a message is received, other circuitry and/orfunctionality of the communication network device may be enabled.Although not depicted herein, in some embodiments there may be aplurality of remote measurement devices located at different locationswithin the fire hydrant (e.g., one device located within the path of thewater main 12, and another remote measurement device located within adry barrel of the fire hydrant 50, such that the operation of the valvemay be monitored). Once the information has been received at step 502,processing may continue to step 504.

At step 504, the communication network device 122 may receive othersensor data, such as from a local sensor of the communication networkdevice 122. Local sensor data may include any suitable data such asenvironmental data (e.g., temperature) or data relating to the operationof the communication network device 122. Once the local sensor data hasbeen received at step 504, processing may continue to step 506.

At step 506, the processor of the communication network device 122 mayanalyze the received information and data to determine data values,warnings, errors, or other suitable values or indications. In someembodiments, the analysis may include the determination of data trendsor statistics relating to the received information and values. Asdescribed herein, warnings may include conditions that relate toproblems with the water distribution system, such as water pressureissues and water quality issues (e.g., turbidity, solid content,chemical content, biological content, etc.), and may be determined inany suitable manner (e.g., based on a comparison of values withthresholds, a rate of change for values, or a combination of values thatis indicative of a particular water condition). Errors may relate to thefunctioning of the remote measurement device 120 or communicationnetwork device 122 (e.g., a failed sensor or low battery) or the firehydrant (e.g., a failed component such as a seal). Although errors maybe determined in any suitable manner, in some embodiments the errors maybe determined based on one or more of the measurements or calculatedvalues not being within an acceptable range, or based on a combinationof values indicating an error. The results of the analysis may be storedin memory at step 506, and processing may continue to step 508.

It may be desired to transmit data to the communication network (e.g.,to the central processing system 12) on an occasional basis, in order tolimit power consumption of the communication network device,transmission costs, and to prevent excess traffic over the communicationnetwork. Accordingly, steps 508-514 may determine when data is to betransmitted by the communication network device 122.

At step 508, it may be determined whether a warning was identified bythe remote measurement device 120 or the communication network device122. If a warning was identified, processing may continue to step 514.If a warning was not identified, processing may continue to step 510.

At step 510, it may be determined whether an error was identified by theremote measurement device 120 or the communication network device 122.If an error was identified, processing may continue to step 514. If anerror was not identified, processing may continue to step 512.

At step 512, it may be determined whether it is time to transmit to thecommunication network. In one embodiment, the communication networkdevice may transmit on a periodic basis. In some embodiments, thecommunication network device may also transmit based on some othertrigger such as a request for data from the central processing system 12or another device of a mesh network. If it is time to transmit,processing may continue to step 514. If it is not time to transmit,processing may return to step 502.

At step 514, information may be transmitted by the communication networkdevice 122. As described herein, the information may be transmitted viaany suitable communication method such as acellular network or awireless mesh network. The information may be transmitted according to amessage format for the communication network, and may eventually beprovided to the central monitoring system. Based on information receivedfrom communication network devices 122 located at fire hydrants 50throughout the water distribution system 1, problems with the waterdistribution system 1 can be quickly identified and localized, andresources deployed to remedy any such problems. Once the information istransmitted at step 514, process may return to step 502.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of thisdisclosure and various modifications may be made by those skilled in theart without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The embodimentsdescribed herein are provided for purposes of illustration and not oflimitation. Thus, this disclosure is not limited to the explicitlydisclosed systems, devices, apparatuses, components, and methods, andinstead includes variations to and modifications thereof, which arewithin the spirit of the attached claims.

The systems, devices, apparatuses, components, and methods describedherein may be modified or varied to optimize the systems, devices,apparatuses, components, and methods. Moreover, it will be understoodthat the systems, devices, apparatuses, components, and methods may havemany applications such as monitoring of liquids other than water. Thedisclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodimentdescribed herein, but rather should be construed according to theattached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system to measure one or more characteristicsof a liquid at a valve of a fire hydrant, comprising: a valve platehaving a sealing surface and an exposed surface; and a remotemeasurement device located at the exposed surface of the valve plate,wherein the remote measurement device comprises: at least one sensorhaving a liquid sampling device configured to acquire a sample of theliquid and to determine the one or more characteristics based on thesample, the one or more characteristics including one or more ofchemical content, total dissolved solids, biological content, turbidity,and clarity; and a communication interface configured to transmitinformation representative of the one or more characteristics.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the remote measurement device is fixedlyattached to the exterior of the exposed surface of the valve plate. 3.The system of claim 1, wherein the remote measurement device is at leastpartially located within a cavity of the valve plate.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor. 5.The system of claim 1, wherein the remote measurement device furthercomprises a processor, wherein the processor is configured to receivethe one or more characteristics, generate the information representativeof the one or more characteristics, and provide the informationrepresentative of the one or more characteristics to the communicationinterface.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the informationrepresentative of the one or more characteristics comprises trend dataor statistics.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the communicationinterface comprises a wireless communication interface.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, further comprising a communication network device, wherein thecommunication network device comprises: a second wireless communicationinterface configured to communicate with the wireless communicationinterface using a first wireless communication protocol and to receivethe information representative of the one or more characteristics; and athird wireless communication interface configured to communicate with awireless communication network using a second wireless communicationprotocol, wherein the communication network device is configured toprovide the information representative of the one or morecharacteristics to the wireless communication network.
 9. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the second wireless communication protocol comprises ashort message service (SMS) network.
 10. The system of claim 8, whereinat least a portion of the communications between the communicationinterface and the second wireless communication interface are encrypted.11. The system of claim 8, wherein the first wireless communicationprotocol comprises a non-standard communication protocol.
 12. The systemof claim 8, wherein the communication network device is locatedproximate to a bonnet of the fire hydrant.
 13. The system of claim 8,wherein the remote measurement device further comprises a batteryconfigured to provide power to the processor, the sensor, and thecommunication interface.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the remotemeasurement device is configured to enter a sleep mode in which reducedpower is provided to one or more of the processor, the sensor, and thecommunication interface.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the remotemeasurement device is configured to wake on a periodic basis to measurethe one or more characteristics of the liquid.
 16. The system of claim8, wherein the communication interface is configured to transmit awarning to the communication network device based on a comparison of theone or more characteristics of the liquid to one or more thresholds. 17.The valve plate of claim 1, wherein the communication interfacecomprises a wired interface.
 18. The valve plate of claim 17, furthercomprising a wire attached to the wired interface.
 19. The system ofclaim 18, further comprising a communication network device, wherein thecommunication network device comprises: a second wired interfaceconfigured to attach to the wire and to receive the data representativeof the one or more characteristics; and a wireless communicationinterface configured to communicate with a wireless communicationnetwork, wherein the communication network device is configured toprovide the data representative of the one or more characteristics tothe wireless communication network.
 20. The system of claim 19, whereinthe wire is routed between the first wired interface and the secondwired interface via an interior cavity of a valve stem of the firehydrant.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the wire is routed betweenthe first wired interface and the second wired interface via an interiorcavity of a barrel of the fire hydrant.
 22. The system of claim 1,wherein the at least one sensor is located within a channel of the valveplate.
 23. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor islocated within a reservoir of the valve plate.
 24. The system of claim1, wherein the at least one sensor is located within a channel of theremote measurement device.
 25. The system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one sensor is located within a reservoir of the remote measurementdevice.
 26. A system to measure one or more characteristics of a liquidat a valve of a fire hydrant, comprising: a valve plate having a sealingsurface and an exposed surface; and a remote measurement device locatedat the exposed surface of the valve plate, wherein the remotemeasurement device comprises: at least one sensor capable of measuringthe one or more characteristics of the liquid; a first wirelesscommunication interface configured to transmit informationrepresentative of the one or more characteristics; and a communicationnetwork device including: a second wireless communication interfaceconfigured to communicate with the first wireless communicationinterface using a first wireless communication protocol and to receivethe information representative of the one or more characteristics; and athird wireless communication interface configured to communicate with awireless communication network using a second wireless communicationprotocol, the communication network device configured to provide theinformation representative of the one or more characteristics to thewireless communication network, the first wireless communicationinterface configured to transmit a warning to the communication networkdevice based on a comparison of the one or more characteristics of theliquid to one or more thresholds.